Tube tunnel construction



Nov. 10, 1931. G. F. PORTER ET AL- TUBE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Filed April6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1931. j G. F. PORTER ET AL 1,

TUBE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Filed April 6, 1929 4 $heets-Sheet 2 'EOEGE f?P057213 and E055T R POETEE.

lizvenfara Nov. 10, 1931. G. F. PORTER ET AL TUBE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 6. 1929 4620991157 6250565 F. POETEE anE0555? FORTE/E. W T- 7%e/r' Waraeya NOV. 10, 1931. I F PORTER ET AL 11,831,322

TUBE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Filed April 6, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventors:

650665 f? FORTE-E W4 KOBE/6'7- R POETEE.

Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT o i-" cr.

GEORGE IF. PORTER, 015' DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AND ROBERT P. PORTER, OFSPOKANE,

WASHINGTON; DETROIT TRUST COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, EXECUTOB- 6FSAID enonen F. PORTER, DECEASED TUBE TUNNEL Application filed April 6,

This invention relates to tunnels and more particularly tube tunnelsadapted to be constructed in sections, which sections are mounted bodilyin positionand connected one with the other, and has for one of itsobjects the provisionof anovel coupling structure for connecting saidsections whereby said sections may be readily coupled together.

Another object is to provide a coupling structure that will permit thesections to be shifted or swung into line after one side is coupled,thereby facilitating the coupling operation. v

In the drawings:

Figure 1., is an elevation showing two adjoining tunnel sectionsembodying this invention.

. Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line II-II of Figure 1.I

Figure 3'is an" enlarged fragmentary'ele vation showing the couplingcastingsin detail.

Figure l is'a sectional View taken on the lineTVI-V of Figure 3.

Figures 5 and 6 are sectional plans taken on the lines V-V and VI-VI,respectively, of Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numerals 2 and 3designate a pair of adjoining tubular tunnel sections as a whole, eachof which is composed of a steel shell 4 having outside diaphragms atspaced intervals. The interior of each shell is provided with a concretelining 6 and roof and roadway portions 7 and 8, respectively; A coveringof concrete 9 is provided on the out side of the shell 4 of a depth atleast equal to the width of the diaphragnis 5.

The tunnel sections are in a large part fin-. ished before'placing, thatis, the steel tube is built on shore, the major portion of the inner andouter concrete is placed, and as much work is done as possible. Suitablebulkheads or waterproof end walls. S m-e then built in position, .asindicated at 10, and the sections are then launched and floated toposition. A trench is previously prepared to receive the sections, andwhen the sections are floated into position they are weighted so as tobe sunk into the trench as near as pos- CONSTRUCTION 1929. Serial No.353,185.

sible to the end of the previously mounted or placed sections.

In order to connect the sections together the novel coupling of thisinvention has been devised.

Each of the sections are provided with a flange 12 at one end whichextends around the upper half off thecircuniference of the shell andprojects outwardly therefrom" on a line parallel with the shell. Theflange 12 is spaced from the shell 4; by a spacer plate 13 and issecured rigidly in position by rivets 14;. Coupling castings A aresecured to the flange 12 adjacent each terminal end thereof and comprisea back portion 15 secured to the flange 12 by rivets 16 and an outwardlyprojecting coupling lug portion 17 apertured, as at 18, to provide-forthe mounting of a coupling pin 19 therein. The pin 19 is adapted to bemounted in the apertures 18 and to be held in elevated position by alocking Wedge 20 inserted in an opening 21 adj acent the lower end ofthe pin and engaging the upper face of the coup-ling lug portion 17 ofthe casting.

The other end of each of the sections is provided with a flange 22 whichextends around the lower half of the circumference of the shell andprojects outwardly therefrom. on a line parallel with the shell. Theflange 22 is spacedfrom the shell 4 by a spacer plate'23 and is securedrigidly in position by rivets 24. Coupling castings B are secured to theflanges 22 adjacent each terminal and comprise a back portion 25 secured'to the flange 22 by rivets 26 and an outwardly projecting lug portion27 provided "with an enlarged elongated aperture 28 to receive thecoupling pin 19 carried by the lugs 17 of the adjacent section. v

The adjacent ends of theseveral sections of the tunnel are adaptedtoabut each other,

and the lugs 17 areadapted to overlie the lugs-27, and the wedges 20 areadaptedto be withdrawn: so as to permit the pins 19 to drop through theapertures 18 and intothe apertures 28. The wedges 20 are adapted to beagain inserted in the openings 21 after the pins 19have dropped. intothe aperturesf 28to hold the'pins against displacement.

After the sections are coupled, a suitable sealing ring 29 is secured inposition over the joint formed by the abutting ends of the tunnelsections and concrete is placed to complete the lining 6 and covering 9over the joint.

In operation, assuming that the section 2 has been positioned in thetrench on the river bottom, the section 3 will be floated out over thetrench and will be weighted so as to compel it to sink. The section 3will be guided during the sinking operation so as to position-the lugs17, or at least one of said lugs, so that they overlie the lugs 27 onthe section 2. Thepins 19 will then be freed to allow them to fall bygravity through the aperture 18 and into the aperture 28 in the lugs 27so as to lock the sections together.

If, as is generally the case. only one of the lugs 17 is caused tooverlie one of the lugs 27, the pin 19 carried by this lug 17 Willbecaused to enter and be locked in the aperture 28 of the lug 27 and thesection 3 will be shifted or wiggled bodily to aline the other lug 17with i he other lug 27 so that these lugs may also be locked together bythe pin 29, and the free end of the section is then caused to rest onthe bottom of the trench and is positioned ready to receive the nextsection.

\Vhile we have shown and described one specific embodiment of ourinvention, it will be understood that we do not wish to be limitedthereto since various modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

lVe claim: I

1. A tubular tunnel section comprising a steel shell and outside andinside layers of concrete terminating short of the ends of said sectionso as to leave the end portions of said shell exposed, coupling castingssecured to the opposite sides of one of the exposed ends of said shell,pin receiving lugs formed integral with and projecting out wardly fromsaid castings, other coupling castings secured tothe opposite sides. ofthe other exposed end of said shell, pin carrying lugs formed integralwith and projecting outwardly from said last named castings, pinscarriedby said last named lugs, means for releasably holding said pinsabove the bottom face of said pin carrying lugs, said pin carrying lugsbeing positioned above said pin receiving lugs so thatthe pin carryinglugs of one section will overlie the pin receiving lugs of the nextadjacent section when the sections are arranged end: forend inassembling a tunnel, said pins being adapted to be released to engage inthe pin receiving lugsof'the next ad acent section when the sections areassembled.

2. tubular tunnel-section comprising a steel shell and outs de andinside layers of the upper half of one of the exposed ends of saidshell, 2. second flange extending around the lower half of the otherexposed end of said shell, said flanges being secured to and extendingoutwardly parallel with said shell, coupling castings secured to theopposite sides of said first named flange, pin carrying lugs formedintegral with and projecting outwardly from said castings, pins carriedby said lugs, means for releasably holding said pins above the bottomfaces of said pin carrying lugs, other coupling castings secured to theopposite sides of said second named flange, pin receiving lugs'formedintegral with and projecting outwardly from said last named castings,said pin carrying lugs being positioned above said pin receiving lugs sothat the pin carrying lugs of one section ,will overlie the pinreceiving lugs of the next adjacent section when the sections arearranged end for end in assembling a tunnel, said pins being adapted tobe released to engage in the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacentsection when said sections are assembled.

3. In a tubular tunnel section, a steel shell,

coupling castings secured to.the opposite said pin carrying lugs,said'pin carrying lugs being positioned above said pin receiving lugs sothat the pin carrying lugs of one sec tion will overlie the pinreceiving lugs of the next adjacent section when the sections arearranged end for end in assembling a tunnel, said pins being adapted tobe released to engage in the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacentsection when the sections are assembled. a

4. In a tubular tunnelsection, a steel shall, a flange extendingaroundthe upper half of one of the ends of said shell, a second flangeextending around the lower half of the other end of said shell, saidflanges being secured to and extending outwardly parallel with saidshell, coupling castings secured to the opposite sides of said firstnamed flange, pin carrying lugs projecting outwardly from said castings,pins carried by said lugs, means for releasably holding said pins abovethe bottom faces of said pin carrying lugs, other coupling castingssecured to the opposite sides of said second named'fiange, pin receivingthat the pin carrying lugs of one section will overlie the pin receivinglugs of the next adjacent section when the sections are are ranged endfor end in assembling a tunnel, said pins being adapted to be releasedto engage in the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacent section whenthe sections are assembled.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands.

ROBERT P. PORTER. GEORGE F. PORTER.

